Read to Lead: Deepening Faith, Reimagining Ministry is an online book discussion for commissioned and ordained ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It meets on Zoom four Thursday evenings in 2027, and attending three of the four sessions fulfills the annual ethics requirement for ministerial standing in the future Living Waters Region.
Each session takes up one book. Participants read ahead and then gather for a 90-minute facilitated conversation with reflection questions that carry the reading into ministry practice. The course treats ethics as part of a minister’s own formation, with particular attention to power and accountability, and to the decisions in congregational life where values compete and no rule settles the question.
Thurs Feb. 4: Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love
Thurs Apr. 1: Serene Jones, Trauma and Grace
Thurs Jun. 3: Brené Brown, Strong Ground
Thurs Oct. 7: Paul Moon, Dancing in Wind: An Adaptive Leadership Framework for Church Revitalization in an Age of AI
All sessions begin at 6pm/7pm.
Apostle John C. Harvey and Rev. Dr. Beth Rupe facilitate. Apostle Harvey founded Serenity Christian Church in 1994 and continues as its pastor in Hazel Park, Michigan, where he also serves as Regional Associate. He directed United Campus Christian Ministry at Wayne State University for eleven years and has worked with the Metro Coalition of Congregations and Detroit Regional Voice for Equity. Rev. Dr. Rupe is Minister of Disciples Women for the region and pastor of First Christian Church in Henry, Illinois. She worked as a community mental health therapist before seminary, and her doctoral work at Lexington Theological Seminary focused on lament in Disciples worship.
Registration is $30 for all four sessions, and the Zoom link comes with your confirmation. Participants buy the books on their own. Scholarships are available; contact Peggy O’Neal at peggy@livingwatersdisciples.org.
If you plan to join in February, order Strength to Love now so you have time to read it before the first session.
